Nikon Takes Digital To The Next Dimension With Introduction Of Coolpix 5700

MELVILLE, NY, May 29, 2002 - Nikon® (www.nikonusa.com), the world leader in photography, today introduced the Nikon Coolpix® 5700, a digital camera featuring a 5.0 effective megapixel CCD and 8x Optical Zoom-Nikkor ED glass lens. The advanced feature set combined with a solid, compact body made of durable Magnesium alloy and a fully articulating LCD screen, makes the Coolpix 5700 the ultimate compact digital camera for the experienced photographer looking to expand the boundaries of digital.

This camera is the first Coolpix to include an Electronic Viewfinder (EVF), the ability to capture images in a RAW data recording mode for image control and manipulation after the picture is taken and Nikon's exclusive Extra-low Dispersion (ED) glass for superior image quality. The Coolpix 5700 also records up to one minute of full-motion video with sound, for a complete digital package.

"Nikon continuously works to give photographers the most advanced cameras, and the Coolpix 5700 is perfect for the serious photographer looking for speed and power in a compact design," said Jerry Grossman, vice president, Marketing, Nikon Inc. "The Coolpix 5700 comes equipped with an 8x Optical Zoom-Nikkor ED glass lens for sharp images, combined with a through-the-lens electronic viewfinder so you can capture exactly what you see, as well as a RAW image mode, for manipulating your photos after they are taken. The Coolpix 5700, when combined with the Nikon System of Speedlights and accessory lenses, truly offers a complete portable digital studio."

Superior Quality from Enhanced Features

The Coolpix 5700's 5.0 effective megapixel CCD captures images with multiple image quality settings at a maximum resolution of 2,560 x 1,920 pixels, which is capable of producing 16 x 20-inch prints and larger with outstanding quality. The Coolpix 5700 is the first Nikon Coolpix digital camera to include Extra-low Dispersion glass elements, which minimizes chromatic aberrations to ensure crisp, clear images. The camera features a powerful 8x Optical Zoom-Nikkor ED lens, giving a zoom range of 35 - 280mm (35mm equivalent) that extends to full focal length in two seconds for a fast change in perspective.

The Coolpix 5700 is the first Nikon digital camera to include a through-the-lens Electronic Viewfinder (EVF) to maintain a true perspective on what is captured. This EVF features a 180,000-dot polysilicon TFT LCD with an anti-reflective coating for 97% frame coverage and bright preview. The camera also includes a Vari-angle LCD screen to take advantage of the benefits of a swivel lens design for greater shooting creativity.

The camera also features an automatic intelligent Speedlight pop-up flash that activates when additional light is needed. A standard accessory hot-shoe makes it easy to attach external Speedlights for greater creative lighting control.

Fast Shooting for Even Greater Shot Selection

To ensure that the image is captured, the Coolpix 5700 has Multiple Continuous Shooting modes that can take up to three consecutive full-sized pictures at three frames per second, or at 1.5 frames per second.

The exclusive Best Shot Selector can automatically select the sharpest from a series of consecutive shots. The camera also has an overall improved response, with a 70-millisecond shutter release lag time. The camera features a Quick Review button to review images in one quarter or full screen, right after the shot is taken. This camera also supports other Nikon playback modes including zoom, thumbnail, histogram, focus confirmation and highlight point display. Besides capturing images, the Coolpix 5700 also records up to one minute of full-motion video with sound.

For greater flexibility when exposing the image, the camera comes with four exposure modes - Program, Shutter Priority, Aperture Priority and Manual, all featuring a top shutter speed of 1/4,000 of a second. The Coolpix 5700 offers a wide array of image quality options to give the photographer total control in any type of shooting situation including: TTL White Balance for automatic white balance of the setting, or chose from five manual settings - Fine, Incandescent, Fluorescent, Cloudy and Speedlight; White Balance Bracketing automatically captures the image at three different balance settings with one single shutter release; Four-step Saturation Control which optimizes the image for all display applications; and Clear Image and Noise Reduction Mode.

Even More Creativity After the Image is Taken

The Coolpix 5700 features image capture in RAW mode, a first for the Coolpix line, to provide greater creative control even after the picture is taken. The camera comes complete with NikonView 5, an image browser software that makes it simple to organize, retrieve and print images, create a slideshow and share images via email, the Web or PDAs. Using the included Nikon Editor software found in NikonView 5, RAW mode image settings can be manipulated at the photographer's leisure once the images have been uploaded into the computer with the included standard USB interface that maintains a fast and easy image transfer.

For added photographic creativity the Coolpix 5700 features a suite of software from ArcSoft®. PhotoStudio™ is an image manipulation package that allows users to edit, retouch or apply special effects to photos; VideoImpression™ which lets users edit and share QuickTime™ movies, Panorama Maker™, which lets users easily stitch together a number of images to automatically create beautiful panoramic photographs ready to print or email, and ArcSoft PhotoBase™ for viewing images on a PDA.

The camera is compatible with CompactFlash™ cards Type I and II as well as the IBM Corporation's 512MB & 1 GB Microdrive™ to offer greater choice in storage media systems. The camera comes complete with a Nikon Starter Memory Card, rechargeable Lithium-ion battery and charger that provides approximately 90 minutes of continuous operation when fully charged.

MELVILLE, NY, May 29, 2002 - Nikon® (www.nikonusa.com), the world leader in photography, today introduced the Coolpix® 4500, the first Nikon digital camera to feature a 4.0 effective megapixel CCD combined with a 4x Optical Zoom-Nikkor lens. Built on the award winning swivel-lens body design of the Coolpix 995, the Coolpix 4500 offers advanced imaging control options as well as numerous automatic functions for a wide range of versatility in a more compact, but solid, ergonomic body to create a digital camera that expands a photographer's perspective.

As the first four-megapixel camera in the Nikon Coolpix line, the Coolpix 4500 is designed to be used in multiple photographic applications and gives photographers total creativity with full manual control options. For automatic functions, the camera includes a variety of options provided by 16 built-in Scene modes, the most in any Coolpix camera, and an automatic pop-up flash. The Coolpix 4500 also has sound features for attaching up to 20 seconds of recorded notes to photos, and for capturing 35 seconds of video movies with sound. With the optional Coolpix accessories, including the new Macro Cool-Light SL-1, and lenses like the fisheye and wide-angle, this camera is perfect for both creative photography as well as educational and business purposes when total image capture and control are needed.

"The Coolpix 4500 meets the needs of the photographer who is looking for total control to enable maximum photographic creativity," said Jerry Grossman, vice president, Marketing, Nikon Inc. "The manual options in this camera make it a perfect choice for schools and businesses that need an affordable, high-quality digital camera. The swivel lens body, advanced functionality and easy-to-use features make the Coolpix 4500 a camera that gives users a dramatically different shooting perspective for more dynamic photographs. And, the numerous Scene modes, pop-up flash and other built-in features make this camera perfect for times when you want the camera to do all the work."

For the advanced photographer, the camera features four exposure metering options including Nikon's exclusive 256-segment Matrix Metering, Center-weighted, Spot and Spot AF metering. Image quality settings in the Coolpix 4500 include TTL White Balance, White Balance Bracketing, Four-step Saturation control (including Black and White and Sepia modes) and an added Noise Reduction mode. And for the photographer looking for the ultimate control, this digital camera offers full manual operation.

Built-in Options When You Want the Camera to Do the Work

In addition to the advanced control set in the Coolpix 4500 for the advanced photographer, the camera includes 16 versatile Scene modes. The Scene modes make choosing the perfect camera setting to capture the moment simple. Scene modes include: Portrait, Party/Indoor, Night Portrait, Beach/Snow, Landscape, Sunset, Night Landscape, Museum, Fireworks Show, Close Up, Copy, Back Light, Sports and Dawn/Dusk. Panorama Assist mode is included to allow several either, side-by-side, up-or-down photos to be taken all at the same exposure and white balance setting for optimized panorama photos when combined together in Panorama Maker™, one of the photo editing software programs included with the camera. The final mode is Multiple Exposure, which artistically combines two images in a single frame; a transparent first image aids composition when taking the second image.

Enhance Your Creative Options

To aid lighting for various situations, the Coolpix 4500 features an automatic pop-up five-mode Speedlight flash. This camera also includes two sound features - a voice memo function to record up to 20 seconds of audio captions for the captured images, and a QuickTime™ Movie mode that records up to 35 seconds of video with sound.

The Coolpix 4500 is fully compatible with all Nikon Coolpix wide-angle and fisheye converter lenses, accessories and external Speedlights for additional creative control of the scene. No additional adapter rings are required to use the Coolpix accessories with the Coolpix 4500, including the new Macro Cool-Light SL-1, designed for full-surround illumination for macro shooting.

To store the image files, the camera supports multiple media options. The Coolpix 4500 is compatible with CompactFlash™ cards Type I and II, as well as IBM Corporation's Microdrive™ 512MB and 1GB cards. The camera includes a Nikon Coolpix Starter Memory Card.

More Features Even After the Picture is Taken

Once the picture is taken, there are still plenty of options to use with this camera. The Coolpix 4500 incorporates the popular Quick Review button for immediate viewing of the previously captured images in one-quarter or the full LCD screen. The camera supports other Nikon playback options including zoom, four and nine-image thumbnails. Also included in the Coolpix 4500 is the Small Picture function, which creates a reduced-size image copy for quick emailing.

After the pictures are taken, the camera easily connects to a computer for fast transfer of the images with the included USB cable. The Coolpix 4500 features Nikon's One-Touch Upload™ button directly on the camera to quickly and easily transfer images to the desktop or Internet with the touch of a button.

All the Tools You Need, Right in the Box

The Coolpix 4500 includes Nikon's exclusive browser software NikonView 5 which is a complete image editing and processing package to simply organize, retrieve and print images, create a slideshow and share pictures via email, the Web or PDAs. For added image creativity, the camera package also includes ArcSoft's® PhotoImpression™, a fun manipulation package that allows users to edit, retouch or apply special effects to photos; VideoImpression™ to edit and share QuickTime™ movies, as well as Panorama Maker, which lets users easily stitch together a number of images to automatically create beautiful panoramic photographs ready to print or email and ArcSoft PhotoBase™ for PDAs. The camera is powered by a rechargeable Lithium-ion battery, included with the camera along with the charger, to provide approximately 100 minutes of continuous operation. An optional AC adaptor and/or disposable lithium batteries can be used as alternate power sources.

The Coolpix 4500 will be available in July 2002.

Nikon Introduces a "Simply Cool™" New Look At Digital Photography

The New Nikon Coolpix® 2000 Digital Camera is Packed with Nikon Technology and Easy-to- Use Features for Simple Operation

MELVILLE, NY, May 29, 2002 - Nikon® (www.nikonusa.com), the world leader in photography, today introduced the Coolpix® 2000, a 2.0 effective megapixel digital camera with a 3x Optical Zoom-Nikkor lens for those that want to make an entry into the world of Nikon digital photography. Complete with five automatic Scene modes, compact body design, One-Touch Upload™ button and interactive "Let's Get Started" Video CD program that takes users through the process of digital picture taking and uploading images, the Coolpix 2000 is the perfect digital camera for anyone looking to make the digital photography experience very simple.

"With the Coolpix 2000 we have taken all the industry leading technologies that Nikon is known for, including Nikkor glass, superior image quality and enhanced feature capabilities, and packaged it into a pocket-sized camera that is as easy-to-use as it is to carry," said Jerry Grossman, vice president, Marketing, Nikon Inc. "With the Coolpix 2000 we are making digital photography more approachable for everyone, especially with the 'Let's Get Started' Video CD, a self-running quick start guide that helps to demystify the questions and concerns first time users have about digital cameras, and makes the first jump into digital photography an easy and positive experience."

Nikon's Legendary Technology Packaged in a User Friendly Body

The Nikon Coolpix 2000 has a 2.0 effective megapixel CCD made to photograph every image in clear, sharp color and detail. To capture the moment, the Coolpix 2000 features a 3x Optical Zoom-Nikkor lens with a zoom range of 38 - 114mm (35mm equivalent) to get right into the action for maximum shooting versatility. The camera also includes Autofocus for crisp, sharp photos. To better capture subjects in various lighting situations, the Coolpix 2000 has a built-in Speedlight featuring Red-eye reduction, Automatic, Anytime Flash, Flash Cancel and Slow Sync modes.

To simplify picture taking, the Coolpix 2000 incorporates an automatic shooting mode and five programmed Scene modes including: Portrait, Party/Indoor, Night Portrait, Beach/Snow and Back Light. The Coolpix 2000 also has a Movie mode that captures 20 seconds of movies. The camera's easy-to-use multi-function dial gives control of Image Quality, Image Size, White Balance, Exposure Metering, Continuous Shooting, Best Shot Selector, Exposure Compensation and Image Sharpening when the photographer is ready to take more manual control of the image.

More Fun with Easy Viewing, Storing and Sharing

The fun of digital photography doesn't stop after the picture is taken -- with a simple press of the camera's Quick Review button the photo is instantly seen on the 1.5-inch LCD monitor. With a touch of the Coolpix 2000's One-Touch Upload™ button, located on the camera, images are instantly uploaded to a computer desktop or the Internet, when the camera is connected to a computer with the included USB cable. The Coolpix 2000 can also save the image in a reduced size with the convenient Small Picture function for easy emailing to family and friends.

Once the photos are stored on the computer, the included NikonView 5 image browser software offers a complete image editing and processing package to simply organize, retrieve and print images, create a slideshow and share pictures via email, the Web or PDAs. Also included in the Coolpix 2000 package are ArcSoft® programs: PhotoImpression™, a fun manipulation package that allows users to edit, retouch or apply special effects to photos and VideoImpression™, which lets users edit and share QuickTime™ movies. The camera also offers ArcSoft's Panorama Maker™ to easily stitch together a number of images to automatically create beautiful panoramic photographs ready to print or email and PhotoBase™ for PDAs. The camera package also includes a video cable to display a slide show from the camera directly onto a TV screen.

Open the Box and You're Ready to Go

The entire camera package reflects simplicity starting with the "Let's Get Started" Video CD to get the user started right after opening the box. This program immediately begins working with the computer's operating system to aid in loading all the necessary software. After the program is loaded, "Eddie," the program host, takes users through camera operation and common questions including: how do I load software, how do I transfer pictures, how do I use the camera functions, etc. and teaches in a progressive manner so users can learn as they go.

A Nikon Coolpix Starter Memory Card for storing images and four AA-type standard alkaline batteries to power the Coolpix 2000 are also included. The Coolpix 2000 is the perfect size to fit in a shirt pocket and take digital photography capabilities everywhere, weighing approximately six-ounces and measuring 4.3 x 2.7 x 1.5-inches.

To utilize this new lightweight COOL-LIGHT, one simply attaches the flash to a selected number of COOLPIX digital cameras*. The COOL-LIGHT features 8 extremely bright white LEDs, which illuminate the subject, and offers approximately 6 hours of continuous operation (provided by two lithium batteries).

The SL-1 offers a shooting distance of 2cm to 12cm from the front of the camera lens. Since the SL-1 is only 2cm thick, this allows photographers to get as close as 2cm when shooting a very thin or flat subject (with COOLPIX cameras that have a closest- focusing distance of 2cm).